Is filing a Right to Information (RTI) application online lawful in Goa? Yes. The government has a portal where citizens can file applications and appeals to get information from state departments. But the real issue is whether authorities take this process seriously. I have filed more than 50 online applications, and only five have been answered. Many Public Information Officers (PIOs) seem uninterested in their duty despite strict RTI timelines. The portal rtionline.goa.gov.in is meant to make things easier, but is it being used properly? Some PIOs ask applicants to visit their office for inspection instead of giving specific information. This raises doubts about whether they are following the law or simply pushing citizens to file appeals. Applicants must pay Rs 10 online, but no payment status is shown afterwards, and many applications stay pending. Who is responsible for this? It is also important to choose the correct department, as wrongly addressed applications may be returned. Some offices, like the Mamlatdar of Bardez, Directorate of Transport, Land Survey and Settlements Mapusa, and Directorate of Animal Husbandry, do respond properly.
